'Busy but somber' at nearby businesses

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Marci Benitez's 9:15 a.m. appointment last Saturday came and went without her 6-year-old client showing up.

She thought little of it until she saw the list of victims in the Newtown school shooting later in the day and James Mattioli was on it.

James, who was buried Tuesday, wasn't the only one. Benitez, who specializes in cutting children's hair, lost many of her Fun Kuts' customers to the tragedy.

In the days since 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, Benitez and other local business owners have tried to stay strong for the sake of their patrons.

"I'm prepared to hear people's sadness and take on the whole thing," she said. "Hair dressers are like psychologists. People tell us their thoughts."

Around the corner on Glen Road, "Chase," a 4-year-old golden retriever, quickly cuddled up to customers at The Country Mill antiques shop.

Owner Linda Manna said she brought him to the store to provide some comfort to customers.

She has stayed open every day since Dec. 14, serving as a refuge to a community mourning the loss of so many.

"I've been open to give people the chance to have some relief for a few minutes," Manna said. "As a shop owner, you don't know what to do, so you do the best you can."

Others, like Sandy Hook Deli and Catering owner Artie Praino, have modified their hours to care for a grieving population.

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Last Saturday, Praino kept his shop open until 10 p.m., six hours later than normal. He stayed open seven hours late on Sunday.

For Praino, keeping focused on his job -- including catering jobs for funeral parties -- has helped him get through a very difficult few days.

"Staying busy has helped," Praino said. "I have not had the chance to stop and think about what happened."

On Tuesday, his deli cases were filled with bowls of coleslaw, fresh mozzarella balls, meat pies and deviled eggs.

Patrons also have flocked to Stone River Grill, into an atmosphere bartender Jill Richelsoph described as "busy but somber."

Some just wanted coffee or tea to get out of the cold and to meet up with others.

"It is a warm spot to come out of the cold and it gives people who want to mingle with others rather than be alone the chance to do so," Richelsoph said.

Business has also been brisk at the Subway in Sandy Hook on Church Hill Road. The media and others have flocked there for coffee and even just to use the bathroom.

But the co-partner of the store, Najeeb Ghafour, said the constant stream of customers has been of little comfort.

"We are not even happy with the increased business because of the reasons for it," Ghafour said. "If we were busy because of the Christmas season, we would be happy."

Ghafour was not alone.

At the Blue Colony Diner, where mourners mixed with the media, waitress Orysia Zaluski, 26, said she was still feeling the effects of what transpired earlier this month.

"Last year, around this time, I was saying, 'Have a happy holiday,'" she said.

But not this year.

"I honestly haven't said that once to anyone."

Reporter Lauren Boyer of the York Daily Record contributed to this report.

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